IPhone 7 shines a light on Smart Lighting

Christmas is coming and I decided to treat myself to a new iPhone 7. I am always intrigued by the pace of which the technology industry is changing with R&D teams coming up with new possibilities for the consumer and I wasn’t disappointed. Amongst its many updates and a new set of emojis ? was an app entitled “Home”. Further investigation revealed that this app will apparently now allow me to start building a connected home by adding lights, locks, thermostats and other home kit enabled accessories. Imagine coming home on a winters night and the gate opens automatically as you approach, the drive lights up, as does the front porch and hall way. When you unset the alarm the lights come on in the lounge and kitchen, the heating is on and your favourite music starts playing.! I can now switch on and control the lighting and heating in my home remotely via my smartphone! So I wasn’t too surprised when at the recent Lux Live London exhibition, Verena Rathjen (Ledvance) presented on how lighting will soon be connected to the internet in our everyday lives with partnerships with the likes of Apple and Samsung driving the controls of these products. What really fascinated me was how we can now control smart bulbs to alter the colour of our lighting to reflect the time of day or our mood. The link between sunlight and the impact on mood has long been established but now we can control our light to gain maximum benefit from our days. This will have a positive impact not only in our personal environment but also within the workplace. Those grey winter mornings no longer seem such a challenge… for example Coelux“ Experience the sky“ light fixtures show how an area of no natural light can be transformed with an artificial skyline (image left).

Other interesting exhibitors at LuxLive 2016 included:

Jeremy Turner of Fab Controls giving a thought provoking presentation on emergency lighting automatic testing systems at the escape zone. His main points included the use of DALI as the preferred protocol to test emergency lighting products. Dali is one of our more popular solutions that we offer at Lightsolutions due to its multiple applications.

Jeremy Turner, FAB Controls at LuxLive 2016

Joost Demarest of KNX (Netherlands) presenting on the next stages of the KNX open protocol and how it will Integrate with the IoT so existing systems worldwide can be connected.

Hytronik demonstrated their new programmable range of motion sensors,which due to advanced technology can differentiate between natural and artificial light even when installed inside fittings. They also exhibited a full range of DALI controlled recessed motion sensors for retrofit applications. Overall it was a really informative exhibition and has given us many ideas for developing our solutions offer in 2017.

Our Most Recent Projects..

CERC

Lightsolutions have just completed the supply and commissioning of an emergency lighting addressable system in Partnership with Element 3 in the CERC (Clinical Education and Research Centre) building in Limerick. This HSE project was a huge success and uses KNX DALI technology to ensure compliance of this safety system.

NATIONAL INDOOR ARENA

We are also currently near completion on the new National Indoor Arena project in Blanchardstown which again utilises KNX DALI technology to automatically test the emergency lighting system.This is in conjunction with JV Tierney and Update Technology.We use open control protocol so any emergency lighting fittings such as MACKWELL and ELP can be controlled as long as they are DALI compatible.

INTERXION

Finally another partnership with E3 is Interxion Data Centre in Grange Castle .This project utilises again the latest in LED technology and controls to provide a fully automated system.

We are delighted to be involved in the forthcoming projects – Velasco andAdare Manorwhich will provide our team with twovery different projects,in two very different industries.

Velasco is a prominent new office space in Dublin 2 which is being built to the highest specifications by developers Hardwicke and Ardstone ,who have appointed RKD as the project architects. Anticipated completion date: 2017.

Adare Manor Hotel and Golf resort is currently under renovation and is also due for completion in 2017. This well known, luxury 5 star castle hotel is being totally renovated with the latest in LED emergency lighting technology.